In the heart of Springdale, Arkansas—where old neighborhoods meet new businesses and where traditions blend with progress—there’s a bank that is more than just a place to manage your money. Signature Bank, through its bilingual branch, Banco Si!, has become where financial empowerment meets cultural connection, and where customers are treated like neighbors—because they are.
For Eddie, the bank’s Springdale-based loan manager, the story is deeply personal. He moved to Springdale in 1994 as a fourth-grader at Elmdale Elementary School, and since then, both he and the city have grown up together. After earning a degree in finance from the University of Arkansas and spending time commuting between Fort Smith and Springdale, Eddie knew where he belonged. “Springdale is my forever home,” he says with conviction. He now lives, works, and raises his family here in the same community that welcomed him as a child.
That kind of rootedness shapes the bank’s philosophy. Being locally owned isn’t just a business structure; it’s a mindset. “One of the greatest perks,” Eddie explains, “is that bank decisions are made by people who live here and know what Springdale is about.” The staff at Banco Si! live in the community, attend the same events, and support the same small businesses as their customers. “Everyone knows everyone. You’re kind of embedded into that community,” he says. That sense of shared experience and mutual support defines the way Banco Si! operates every day.
Community banking is built on relationships, not just transactions. At institutions like Banco Si!, the bank’s success is directly tied to the success of its customers and neighbors. That’s why Banco Si! prioritizes financial education, local investment, and one-on-one support. They offer a model of banking that’s responsive, personal, and designed to serve the customer—not just their account. This deeper connection helps build economic resilience and ensures that financial tools are accessible to everyone, not just the well-connected or financially savvy. It’s banking with heart, and with intention.
That personal touch is what sets Banco Si! apart from the big national names. Customers don’t get transferred from one call center to another or wait endlessly for help. “You call your banker,” Eddie says simply. A major part of that personal touch is language. Banco Si! was created to serve Springdale’s Latino community with bilingual support that goes beyond translation. “It’s a double whammy,” he says. “We can speak the language and truly understand our customer’s needs.” That cultural fluency builds trust and helps ensure nothing gets lost in translation—not the details of a loan, and not someone’s financial goals.
The bank’s physical growth also mirrors its mission to meet people where they are. The Emma Avenue location, opened this year, expands Signature Bank’s presence beyond its original Rogers branch. “This city has grown. The traffic has grown a lot. We wanted to be more convenient and helpful for our customers,” says Eddie. Emma Avenue was a natural choice, both for its walkability and its role as a hub for small businesses. With this expansion, the bank becomes even more accessible to families and entrepreneurs alike, offering an easier path to trusted financial services.
But it’s not just about banking. It’s about community. Banco Si! is deeply involved in local life, from sponsoring nonprofit events to helping organize cultural celebrations. You’ll find them flipping burgers for 1,000 people at Cinco de Mayo, supporting Latinas wanting to get into biking, or hosting Dia de los Muertos with folkloric dance and mariachis. “We don’t just show up. We bring the food, bring the family, and bring the culture,” Eddie says. “It’s truly a family bank, not just a business.” These events foster pride, inclusion, and a sense of belonging that transcends banking.
While the events are festive, the bank’s mission is serious: helping the community build wealth and confidence. Eddie leads loan operations for both the Springdale and Rogers branches, and finds great joy in helping people start with something small and grow it into a lasting success. “It’s incredibly rewarding to teach people how to invest, use their assets, and tap into equity to grow their wealth,” he says. “Watching someone go from their first loan to expanding their business—it’s a lot of fun.” His work helps families build generational assets, and local businesses turn dreams into stability.
The team around him is strong and experienced. Eddie’s been at the bank for over a decade, and colleagues like Aleyda bring nearly 16 years of service. “Between all of us, it’s a good, experienced team. We care deeply, and we’re here to stay.” That consistency means customers see familiar faces and build lasting relationships, not just accounts.
This year, Signature Bank and Banco Si! are celebrating their 20th anniversary, and it’s more than just a milestone. It’s a reminder of the long-standing trust they’ve earned in the community. Two decades of service have reinforced their commitment to being more than a bank—they are a partner in growth, a source of stability, and a voice for inclusive financial opportunity.
For Eddie and his team, the real celebration is the everyday work of helping people grow. “If you bank at Signature Bank, you also bank at Banco Si!” Eddie reminds us. It’s not two separate worlds—it’s one mission, united by a belief in Springdale’s people, its future, and the value of being right here, together.